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17 October 2007
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs honourable
Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, Member of Parliamentary Legislature (MPL), has praised
police for their swift arrest of livestock thieves who had stolen top breed
cattle in Madadeni outside Newcastle at the weekend.
Four suspects have since made a brief appearance in the Madadeni
Magistrate's Court in connection with the theft of the top breed cattle which
was later slaughtered. The suspects have been charged with stock theft. One of
the four suspects arrested, Mr Sibusiso Mlangeni (25) is the son of the local
Amajuba District Municipality Mayor Mkhulu Mlangeni.
"As a department we are very concerned about the continuing incidents of
stock theft and we are currently working together with the Community Safety and
Liaison Department and local farmers associations to weed out this problem. We,
therefore, would like to commend the police for apprehending the four
suspects."
Two suspects including Mlangeni have been released on bail of R1 500 each
while the other two suspects remained in custody after they were linked to
other crimes in the area. MEC Mthimkhulu said the problem of stock theft had
been highlighted at the seating of the Agriculture Portfolio Committee in July
during a presentation by members of the Red Meat Producers Organisation.
Presently stock theft is costing the red meat livestock industry in excess of
R100 million.
Enquiries:
Mbulelo Baloyi
Cell: 082 415 7277
Issued by: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
17 October 2007
